Day #1 - Special Agents Marlow & Johnstone

December 28th 2010 - Monterrey Mexico

The day started bright and early with a 6:30 am flight from Toronto to Detroit - but was not without excitement with the celebrity appearance of Justin Beiber in Pearson airport. 

Flight from Detroit to Monterrey was delayed for roughly 45 minutes because of ice on the wing, but once we were in the sky it was 'Hello Sunshine!' and the plane was even on time.

Arrived in Monterrey around 12:30 - cleared customs with ease, other than Jorden being hard of hearing on account of the air pressure - haha. The Bursey's made it just in time to pick us up, take us for lunch and then we hit the ground running - off to Roman's house to look into getting him some windows and bars to make his house warm and safe for his daughter who is ill with typhoid fever. Our hope is that this will be a dream we can fulfill while we are here in Mexico.

Finally got to relax at the Bursey's Mexican palace here in Linares - contacting with our loved ones and getting ready to SLEEEEEP. But cannot wait for the rest of the week!!

Special Agents Johnstone and Marlow - Out!

Special Agents Marlow & Johnstone

Taylor Marlow & Jorden Johnstone are students at Wilfred Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.  During this holiday season they wanted to do something to help others in another country.  With that in mind we contacted our Dream Agents in Mexico, Rick & Lisa Bursey.  The trip was set up and early this morning Vee and I picked up Jorden in Cambridge and met Taylor and her mother Bonnie at the airport in Toronto.  I helped the girls get checked through (it was the first time ever that I used the kiosk check in without any issues) and sent them toward US customs.  As I write this entry they will be boarding their plane to Detroit and then will head to Monterrey, Mexico where the Burseys will pick them up.  The pic above was taken this morning at the airport.  Stay tuned to the blog for updates of their travels in Mexico.
* Special Note: Phil decided to jump in one of their bags...so who knows what kind of monkey business may begin.  Stay tuned.

No worries!

A calm office manager by day....

A security "terror" by night and day!  When you need her....Erta is ready to defend!
Sorry I could not resist posting this pic.  Seriously...this young lady is changing the "relational fabric" of Haiti.  You would do well to have her as part of your team.  Trust me.

It was crazy!

Well...what a day!  This Canadian team was incredible....seriously.  They were a credit to their country.
The day started early with setup beginning at 8am.

It was a good thing we started early...it was pretty hot today.

After a couple hours we had a very nice theatre setup ready for the folks to begin to pour in.

The Big Kahuna, Bill Manaserro was running sound for the event.  He is one cool cat!

We opened the doors at about 2:30 for a 3pm start.  As you can see there was a lineup outside.  Each person got a wristband that entered.  We handed out 400 wristbands.  It was supposed to make the whole event go smooth....it was wild.

It was a full house.  By the time we got around to feeding 400 people it was dark. It was crazy.  Wow.
Everybody got rice....a couple salads....chicken....and a drink.

 It was crazy.  Man....I live for this stuff.  The Fin was loving it all!  Ask him about chasing the kid that scaled over the wall trying to get an extra gift bag!  I am talking about reflexes like a cat baby!

Notice the white spots?  That is dust.  The line was constantly moving....it was pressing forward...the children wanting a gift bag.  Jody Pilon had my back!  It was a blast.
We are leaving tomorrow.  Stay tuned for the video to be released over the next week.  It is not too late to sponsor a dream before Christmas on the iam1ru website.
Thanks again to all who sponsored the gift bags and the trip in general.  The team was incredible...my props to them all...
Mary Farrow.....your heart to serve was incredible...watching you do dishes most nights...full of joy...brought joy and passion to my soul.
Marcel McIntyre...you are a working machine.  However, watching  you collect garbage after feeding 400 did my soul well.
George Passmore...watching you be "moved" by one encounter after another was incredible.  Keep serving all in your path.
Roger Pilon...you were created to do this stuff as much as you can.  What an asset you are to any team!
Kelly Deschamps...you are like a Humanitarian Trip McGyver!  You crack me up!  You need to travel with me more!
Jody Pilon...anytime...any PI Team...just let me know when.
Gabriela Deschamps...joy and serving overflows from your pockets.  C'mon now!
Milt Farrow...our elder statesman!  You are a tribute to what it means to be Canadian and a servant.
Peter "Fin" Findlay...you had my back at all times.  Let's do it again baby!

Group Hug!

As we begin Wednesday December 22...

As we begin the day of crazy activity and the big presentation I thought I would post a few more pics....enjoy.

The team walking from the meeting at the ravine.

A lady sitting on the roof of a house and watching the feeding program.

What can I say about this pic?

Afternoon at the Ravine

In behind the Guest House is a ravine which is inhabited by quite a few people.  While I was here in June with the team we had joined a church service the last morning we were here.  We took this team back to the ravine this afternoon.  We had given money so that rice & chicken could be purchased and cooked ahead and then we showed up for a short meeting...actually a short church service.....talk about singing...oh my!  It was an opportunity for some of the team to bring greetings and they did a great job.  We fed quite a few people and it was a great opportunity to bring a shot of hope to these folks.  The pic below is of the food that was being cooked...

During the singing some of the team got right into it.  Here Marcel is doing the "Marshakka Mumbo"...

Mary Farrow is a serving machine!

Kelly and Fin had the assembly line going...

Once they got their food the children had to leave the building.  It was the only way to keep control.

We also chatted with the local pastor about whether "milk bag" mats would be of a benefit.  He was quite intrigued with the mat.  Once I explained what it could be used for...he kept it.  Thanks so much to Ruth McGauley and all those who helped put the mats together.

Enough said.